Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar
| Address: | 1881 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753, USA |
| Phone: | +1 808-879-0004 |
| Site: | sanseihawaii.com |
| Rating: | 4.2 |
| Working: | 5–10PM 5:30–10PM 5:30–10PM 5:30PM–1AM 5:30PM–1AM 5:30PM–1AM 5–10PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 8
JA
James Katt
For years, Sansei was my favorite sushi restaurant in the United States. It is one of the primary reasons for visiting Maui. I recommended them to everyone who loved sushi. For example, the Fois Gras sushi is inventive, delicious and unique - I usually want 3 orders. As of 6/2017, however, something went seriously wrong. The service was very poor. They were very late in serving the food. Our waiter was nowhere to be seen. The servers werent told to serve our food despite the food being obviously ready for several minutes. Sadly the food did not taste as heavenly as in years past. It was downright mediocre. The waiter explained they lost their cook. Sad. But it did not explain his own poor service. Additionally, the tables were rearranged to pack more people into the restaurant like sardines in a can. I did not appreciate this but could tolerate it if the food was great. Unfortunately the food was not great. So currently, I cannot recommend Sansei in Kihei. Im not coming back to the Kihei location. It use to have a special quality. But now it seems to have deteriorated. Ill have to check out the other locations to see if they are still high quality. I hope so. It was sad to see how bad Sansei in Kihei has become from what was the best sushi restaurant in the United States.
A
A Private User
K here is a review from a local who has been going to Sansei for at least 10 years... Service sucks probably 75% or more of the time. Servers have attitude and keep you waiting for the most part. Like I said, this is 75% of the time. Every once in a while you will get lucky with a very enthusiastic and attentive server. I guess thats pretty much anywhere there. Food is fantastic! Thats not just my opinion, but pretty much everyone I know that lives here in Maui. However... Its not fantastic enough to pay full price. 50% off nights are Fri, Sat nights after 10pm and those are the only nights I can fully recommend Sansei. At full price, I think its not really worth it. And thats most locals that I know opinion. The strength of this place is their specialty rolls and cooked items, not traditional sushi. Though their traditional sushi items are also up to par and very fresh. Must order: Rock Shrimp Dynamite, Teriyaki Steak, Miso Butterfish, Panko Crusted Ahi Sashimi Sushi Roll, Lobster and Asparagus Roll, Enjoy!!!
MA
marcel halfner
Totally disgusting, We had such high hopes for Sansei, having read a glowing review in a travel magazine. Coming from Vancouver we actually have had some magnificent sushi in the past and hoped that Sansei would stand up there with the best. As it turned out we had the WORST sushi experience I have ever heard about. We ordered a special (the dynamite roll) and when it came the roll had bad fish (actually rotten). I had to go to the bathroom to spit it out. My wife thought she was going to throw up. When we mentioned this to the waiter his response was one of a) these tourists dont know good sushi and b) we cant tell if fish is fresh or not. Believe me, when one bite makes you rush to the bathroom with your throat spasming it is NOT good sushi. We had an OK appetizer but noticed that all the reviews posted in the foyer were dated 2003 or 4. Nothing recent. I feel Sanseis time has passed and that you may even jeopardize your health eating there. AVOID!
A
A Private User
I went here because everybody said how good it was. That makes me think our experience was out of the ordinary but here it is anyways. We went during happy hour and were easily accommodated. I ordered a negi toro roll, yellow submarine roll, tempura yam and a veggie sunomono salad. My husband ordered the porcini filet steak. The negi roll was taste-less and the submarine roll was mostly rice. Neither roll was well prepared as both fell apart when I tried to eat them. The tempura was ok but the sunomono tasted as though it was covered in salt. The steak was ordered medium-rare and came blue and tasted burnt. Good thing we came during happy hour (from 5-6) and got 25% off. Although they did add a 17% gratuity to the bill which we were not expecting (although the service was good and she did deserve it). Overall, had I not had such high expectations Im sure I would not have been as disappointed!
A
A Private User
Service was suboptimal. We had to wave down waitress for everything. Water was never refilled. Our request for more pickled ginger was met with surprise and irritation. The food was ok. Better than all you can eat places but not of a 4 or 5 Star places. We had the award winnning crusted Ahi. We didnt like the sauce and asked for wasabi and were then lectured by the waitress how it should be eaten with the sauce. I couldnt remember if our spicy yellow tail had any spice or not. It was too mild. Furthermore, we couldnt taste the yellow tail so couldnt be sure if yellow tail was indeed there or not. We had the award winning crab ramen. The broth was awfully salty. I can make better ramen, by simply using the condiments provided with the packet, give it some celantro, green onion and crabmeat. The sashimi was fresh and tasty but still not impressed for such a high overall rating.
TI
Tim Oey
The regular sushi was fine. What made this place excellent were their special recipes: Sansei Special Roll, Panko Ahi, Salmon & Prawn, Ahi Poke, and an incredible Apple Tart for dessert. Normally a Japanese restaurant does not have very good desserts but Sansei Seafood has great desserts. The prices were a bit more expensive compared to comparable restaurants in the SF Bay area but are much less then those at Hawaii resorts and on par with other good restaurants in the area. If you want a great deal and dont mind a big crowd and long line, get there at 4 or 4:30 on Monday and Sunday for their 50% off early dining special from 5 to 6pm -- thats right, people start lining up an hour in advance. We got there at 5pm, still had to wait an hour, and just missed getting the low cost deal but that was fine because the food was excellent and still a good value even at the normal price.
JE
Jerilynne Gallup
Awesome treasure in the heart of Kihei town. This place has a very diverse menu consisting of many different sushi rolls to soup and salad. I had the Rainbow roll and a specialty roll called the PANKO-CRUSTED FRESH AHI SASHIMI roll. They were both super flavorful and well balanced. Im told they use fresh local ingredients and asked that they make a special roll not on the menu in which they were more than happy to accommodate. The servers are very knowledgeable about what the specials were and were consistently checking to see if anything was needed and to offer up their extensive desert menu. I also want to note that they have gluten free and vegan choices available to those interested. I will be making this a regular stop on my dining out schedule!
TH
Therdsak Suthanaviroj
11/04/16: 4.5 out 5 - Just as good as when we first tried Sansei a few days ago. This time I wanted try something different. Tried the New York Steak. It was so very good! Must try...now will return in a few hours for the Happy Hour Sushi! 11/01/16: 4.5 out 5 - I was impressed with this place. The food, the service, and cleanliness was excellent. Its moderately priced, but you get what you pay for. Everything from the glass water to the last bite was definitely worth the price. It can be a little loud, but its usually the If you find yourself in Kihei, Maui this is a place to go to enjoy a good meal. Definitely, try this place once and decide for yourself. We are going back before heading back the Mainland.
